The morning air was the perfect temperature. Cool enough to be balm against the blistering heat that would soon appear as the sun rose and began to bake the earth, but warm enough to prevent the unexpected chill that makes you want to bury yourself under the covers. The wide river was soft in its passing this morning, surprisingly tranquil compared to the normal roar. On the sandy bank it trickled by, catching small granules and rocks as it went. Birds chirping, starting their day, was the only sound layered on top of the soft lapping of the river.
His lips were submerged as he slaked his thirst, but his eyes were up, watching his surroundings. It was boring, really. The river, the plains, the day. No one about, nothing to do. There weren't even any good trees around for him to scratch his antlers against. But his ears twitched to and fro, listening almost desperately for anything to relieve him of the dullness. The dullness that anyone else might have called a gorgeous summer morn.
A fledgling landed next to him, not two feet away. He lifted his head just slightly from the water's surface, water dripping slowly from his lips. It seemed to have been stunned, or perhaps something was stuck on its wing that was keeping it from flying. It chirped, helplessly grounded. It wasn't yet full grown, nor did it have all its feathers. A gentle smile crossed his face as it cocked its head and peered at him.
He shifted his weight, and crushed its small body beneath one hoof with a sickening crunch. Without lifting his hoof again, he went back to drinking.
